as in emphasizes
to indicate the importance of by centering attention on
that TV news program plays up sensational stories just to get higher ratings
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Recent Examples of plays up
Much of the products are focused on the eyes, a continuation of his runway makeup that also plays up peepers, such as heavy lashes or exaggerated cat eyes.
—
Celia Shatzman, Forbes.com, 20 May 2026
Herzog naturally plays up the enigma at hand with epic grandeur, occasionally overdoing it but usually hitting the mark.
—Eric Kohn, IndieWire, 24 Apr. 2026
Paradise playing coy with details on Samantha’s plan or how ALEX can be used to save the world plays up the mystery, but this lack of information regarding her thought process zaps the moment of emotion and tension.
—Maggie Fremont, Vulture, 30 Mar. 2026
The tour guide may have deflected my Phantom questions, but the opera house plays up just enough of the mystery.
—Tribune News Service, Baltimore Sun, 3 Mar. 2026
Beth Goldenberg’s costume design plays up the early 1980s and helps to define each character, such as the loud, pushy prints that Barbara wears.
—Mary Damiano, Miami Herald, 16 Feb. 2026
For an administration that plays up the language of inclusion and liberation, the absence of Black voices raises alarm.
—Darius Jones, New York Daily News, 15 Feb. 2026
Parmesan creamed spinach is a delight and really plays up the buttery artichoke hearts.
—Amanda Stanfield, Southern Living, 10 Jan. 2026
If his bat plays up to expectations and potential, his bat could protect De La Cruz in the lineup.
—C. Trent Rosecrans, New York Times, 6 Jan. 2026
Celia Shatzman, Forbes.com, 20 May 2026
Herzog naturally plays up the enigma at hand with epic grandeur, occasionally overdoing it but usually hitting the mark.
—Eric Kohn, IndieWire, 24 Apr. 2026
Paradise playing coy with details on Samantha’s plan or how ALEX can be used to save the world plays up the mystery, but this lack of information regarding her thought process zaps the moment of emotion and tension.
—Maggie Fremont, Vulture, 30 Mar. 2026
The tour guide may have deflected my Phantom questions, but the opera house plays up just enough of the mystery.
—Tribune News Service, Baltimore Sun, 3 Mar. 2026
Beth Goldenberg’s costume design plays up the early 1980s and helps to define each character, such as the loud, pushy prints that Barbara wears.
—Mary Damiano, Miami Herald, 16 Feb. 2026
For an administration that plays up the language of inclusion and liberation, the absence of Black voices raises alarm.
—Darius Jones, New York Daily News, 15 Feb. 2026
Parmesan creamed spinach is a delight and really plays up the buttery artichoke hearts.
—Amanda Stanfield, Southern Living, 10 Jan. 2026
If his bat plays up to expectations and potential, his bat could protect De La Cruz in the lineup.
—C. Trent Rosecrans, New York Times, 6 Jan. 2026
Recent Examples of Synonyms for plays up
Verb
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One team emphasizes one angle, another picks something else, and the campaign feels disconnected.—
Maria Alonso,
Forbes.com,
20 May 2026
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Finding inspiration everywhere, from fashion photography to Harajuku Girls, Gordon-Crozier especially emphasizes filmmaker Michel Gondry’s influence.—
Tomris Laffly,
Los Angeles Times,
20 May 2026
Verb
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Our research also highlights how this shift is shaping competitive awareness.—
Tom Hood,
Forbes.com,
22 May 2026
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Amid Nancy Abduction Watson said that while Wysopal, 38, was right to contact authorities, the situation highlights a major issue with amateur investigators stepping in.—
Allison DeGrushe,
StyleCaster,
22 May 2026
Verb
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The Warner Theatre hosts the distillery for VIP Room events and fundraisers, and A Tasteful Event, which benefits the FISH food pantry and shelter in Torrington, features food by local restaurants and vendors, including the Litchfield Distillery.—
Emily M. Olson,
Hartford Courant,
17 May 2026
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One especially striking image features the galaxy rising above a sea of clouds in La Palma, creating an almost surreal scene.—
Jamie Carter,
Forbes.com,
17 May 2026
Verb
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Rodman stresses the importance of removing personal information, such as your name and Social Security number, from any chatbot input to protect your privacy.—
Cody Cottier,
Scientific American,
15 May 2026
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The article stresses that visionaries set direction, while integrators manage daily operations.—
Jodie Cook,
Forbes.com,
15 May 2026
Cite this Entry
“Plays up.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/plays%20up. Accessed 24 May. 2026.
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